The new pavilion “NAGOMI” will be launched! Taking MANGA BARCELONA to new ground!

Spain's biggest Japanese cultural event “MANGA BARCELONA (Manga Barcelona)”. It was decided to launch a new pavilion “NAGOMI” in response to an invitation from the organizer who wanted to convey more authentic Japanese traditions and beauty to over 160,000 visiting Japanese fans. In preparation for the memorable 30th MANGA BARCELONA, we will dive deep into the circumstances and thoughts behind its launch!

Event name: 30th MANGA BARCELONA (Manga Barcelona)
Period: 2024/12/5 (Thu) to 8 (Sun)
Venue: FIRA BARCELONA GRAN VIA
Official website:https://www.manga-barcelona.com/

More depth and more fun in Japan

The beginning was “MANGA BARCELONA,” which was started by a local publisher dealing with comics in an attempt to increase sales. Currently, it is not limited to pop culture-related events, but has developed into an event where you can experience Japan from various aspects such as sports, food, travel, calligraphy, etc. Visitors are curious about the country “Japan,” which is depicted in familiar works.

[This is also being read]Transmitted from Japan in Spain! The full story of “MANGA BARCELONA”

“Bringing high quality Japanese culture to Barcelona fans too!”

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, while aiming for further evolution of the event, the organizers set their sights on the pavilion “WABI SABI,” which I saw at the JAPAN EXPO in Paris.

[This is also being read]Japan Expo Paris 2023 “WABI SABI Pavilion” Event Report

“I was impressed when I visited WABI SABI in Paris. It was so amazing! There were repeated approaches from the organizer to us, saying, “I want Spanish people to experience that high quality Japanese culture too.”

New pavilion “NAGOMI” launched!

What I saw at MANGA BARCELONA 2023, which I was invited to inspect was the passion and exuberant curiosity of the Japanese fans in Spain. We decided to launch a new pavilion because we thought that genres that had never existed before, such as traditional crafts and art, would surely be delighted.
What I had in mind at that time was a peaceful pavilion where you could encounter masterpieces that you had never seen before, enjoy communicating with artists, and smile unexpectedly. Then, the name of the pavilion “Nagomi (NAGOMI)” was decided.

Voices of expectation coming from Spain

Compared to Paris, where about 10,000 Japanese people live, there are about 1,900 Japanese people living in Barcelona, and there are still few opportunities to experience “real” Japan in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Japanese restaurants and wagashi shops are popular, and it can be said that interest in Japan is extremely high.
Consul General Sato Yasushi (then) of the Consulate General of Japan in Barcelona also has this expectation.
“I would be very happy if everyone (artists) would make use of the event, which has become one of the symbols that Japanese culture continues to penetrate in Spain, and we can liven up Japanese culture together.”

The kanji for “peace” in the name of the pavilion also has the meaning of “harmonizing two things into one.” I believe that meeting here will truly be a bridge between Japan and Spain.

‍